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I originally posted a few pics of my 1972 Cary 28 Sportsman back in 2020 on another thread when several were wondering whatever had became of her. I’m still the owner and will probably be for life as she’s still quite the boat. Once we finally got the rebuilt 1970 vintage 427 Crusaders running right, the boat has been a blast. Not overly fast at 42-43 mph, she still sports lots of attitude and turns plenty of heads. This is the third set of engines she’s had, with original 440 Chryslers replaced in 1992 with 454 carbed Crusaders, which were unfortunately totaled when she filled up with water on the trailer and sat for several years and became an insurance loss, which is how I found her. She’s on the trailer or lift for the time being in Washington NC on the fresh and brackish waters, or fresh water Lake Norman in Mooresville NC, and I’ve towed her to inland central Fla several times also. We’ve changed very little but did swap out the helm seats for some classic ladder-back seats from Pompanette, but we definitely held on to the original wraparound buckets which are in need of a rebuild. We also managed to get some close to original hull graphics which add a perfect finishing touch IMO. Down the road I’m somewhat hell-bent on a power upgrade as you can feel the lineage just begging for more speed. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4e14e7f36.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d85db3ef3.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...29684577c.jpeg |
Nice and simple fun boat !!
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Originally Posted by reidp
(Post 4914817)
i originally posted a few pics of my 1972 cary 28 sportsman back in 2020 on another thread when several were wondering whatever had became of her. I’m still the owner and will probably be for life as she’s still quite the boat. Once we finally got the rebuilt 1970 vintage 427 crusaders running right, the boat has been a blast. Not overly fast at 42-43 mph, she still sports lots of attitude and turns plenty of heads. This is the third set of engines she’s had, with original 440 chryslers replaced in 1992 with 454 carbed crusaders, which were unfortunately totaled when she filled up with water on the trailer and sat for several years and became an insurance loss, which is how i found her. She’s on the trailer or lift for the time being in washington nc on the fresh and brackish waters, or fresh water lake norman in mooresville nc, and i’ve towed her to inland central fla several times also. We’ve changed very little but did swap out the helm seats for some classic ladder-back seats from pompanette, but we definitely held on to the original wraparound buckets which are in need of a rebuild. We also managed to get some close to original hull graphics which add a perfect finishing touch imo. Down the road i’m somewhat hell-bent on a power upgrade as you can feel the lineage just begging for more speed. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4e14e7f36.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d85db3ef3.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...29684577c.jpeg |
Beautiful rare model. I know them well. Good build quality and absolutely worthy of restoring and/or repowering.
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Good to see an update on your beautiful Cary 28, and that you're still making plans for upgrades etc. The ex. owner Jim chewed me out
on Facebook the other day, since I'm not too fond of most politicians in the U.S. and I made some comment about how it's difficult for some of us Veterans from the Korean-, Vietnam-, and the Cold War to respect the 47th POTUS. I always liked Jim years ago because he knows his boats, and I got to befriend him on the old, no more forum Donzi.net 25 years ago. I await Jim's next bullying attempt and hope he's in good vigor. The power of kindness should never be underestimated. I'll keep him as a Facebook friend until I check out this life around. I saw the other day that Jim's ex. Donzi Criterion is up in Illinois. That model is as rare as a Cary 28, but not as well built or great running. A fellow I know here in Newport, California stretched his Cary 28 to 31 feet and stuck triple Verados on it. He builds ocean racing sailboats, but is still in way more than $250,000. The Cary on the program Florida Sportsman, Project Dreamboat: was also a great resto. Tim McKernan has now sold the boat to an elderly couple though. There's just something about the inboards on these late '60s early '70s boats though. The wood, classic fittings, etc. your boat is really something special. Here's the Florida Sportsman video, a photo of Jim's ex. Donzi Criterion, and wishes for many hours running her. Don't wait with the power upgrade though or that Blackfin might get too much attention. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1b16ca3267.jpg |
Originally Posted by larslindroth
(Post 4914900)
Good to see an update on your beautiful Cary 28, and that you're still making plans for upgrades etc. The ex. owner Jim chewed me out
on Facebook the other day, since I'm not too fond of most politicians in the U.S. and I made some comment about how it's difficult for some of us Veterans from the Korean-, Vietnam-, and the Cold War to respect the 47th POTUS. I always liked Jim 25 years ago and on because he knew his boats, and I got to know him on the old, no more forum Donzi.net 25 years ago. I await Jim's next bullying attempt and hope he's in good vigor. The power of kindness should never be underestimated. I'll keep him as a Facebook friend until I check out this life around. I saw the other day that Jim's ex. Donzi Criterion is up in Illinois. That model is as rare as a Cary 28, but not as well built or great running. A fellow I know here in Newport, California stretched his Cary 28 to 31 feet and stuck triple Verados on it. He builds ocean racing sailboats, but is still in way more than $250,000. The Cary on the program Florida Sportsman, Project Dreamboat: was also a great resto. Tim McKernan has now sold the boat to an elderly couple though. There's just something about the inboards on these late '60s early '70s boats though. The wood, classic fittings, etc. your boat is really something special. Here's the Florida Sportsman video, a photo of Jim's ex. Donzi Criterion, and wishes for many hours running her. Don't wait with the power upgrade though or that Blackfin might get too much attention. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1b16ca3267.jpg Link? That Donzi is gorgeous. Plus you put the people you don't want to listen to, up front. :D |
At the 13th annual 2008 Spring Dust Off up on beautiful Lake George, N.Y. run by the Donzi registry, there were 16's 18's Criterion's.....all beautiful boats!....my 18' won best Restored Donzi..in the Renaissance Classic category.
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full resto and conversion of my 1995 32 hustler
way too much to list on a ripped to bare hull resto outer hull is all new awlgrip paint ,blueprinted and regelcoated bottom with all new hull harware popm ups,plug in buy holders,ect all new upholstry with sea deck,new tank and flooring,bulkheads,,, cut out dashes and redesigned and glassed back to be able to add garmins,dual lathems and convert to sit down raised and recessed helm all the switches were in the fairing so glassed it all back and had custom recessed switch panels,grabb handles,cup holders,ect , made 12 jl spekers 3,jl amps dual zone sound,,,leds ,got rid of upholstered trim and used all white acrylic even inside fairing and all new dorrs,ect built new transom and made the tripple motor flotation box for the custom triple 300s lots mere than can list, cruises 50-85 all day long in the bay depending on water conditions and way past 100 opened up,,,,but set up for rough water more than max speed https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3489354195.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...00f69c453f.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f579a1b119.jpg |
beautiful example of, as you say, "ripped to bare hull resto"....reg says NJ ...is that were she was bought? noticed your location is Houston.
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Originally Posted by scippy
(Post 4914954)
At the 13th annual 2008 Spring Dust Off up on beautiful Lake George, N.Y. run by the Donzi registry, there were 16's 18's Criterion's.....all beautiful boats!....my 18' won best Restored Donzi..in the Renaissance Classic category.
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This thing absolutely rocks @ john miffco.
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Originally Posted by scippy
(Post 4915007)
beautiful example of, as you say, "ripped to bare hull resto"....reg says NJ ...is that were she was bought? noticed your location is Houston.
yes did buy it in new jersey 2 yrs ago took a yr to do the resto as have a shop that i do just custom restos mostly on skaters ,,,lol,sold my skater and went back to a skinny wave crusher vee as missed the rough water cruising on top cutting or jumping waves got dialed in and been running it a lot here and cought a few poker runs have set up a lot of offshore hulls and doing the tripp conversion i wanted the prop tips inside the lifting strakes for maximum hull lift so if look can see i narrowed both sides of the center cowl and built a narrower lower pan for it then cut the inside of the outer cowls this allowed me to mount the motors over 6" closer than if left the aliem cowls stock at 70-75 boat lifts up on strakes and gains 2-3 mph from then on its riding on top nicely been a fun boat and doing better than my expeations as was 1 of the last 32s fiore made before selling and going to outerlimits so did all foam coring on top deck,flooring,birth boxing,ect,,,, and no anemities in the birth just cushions so really light on its feet and great candidate for the o/bs beginning of the year tore the trailer to frame and had new alunimum fenders made,,new 4x12 cypress bunks,removed the front vee guides and added 2x8 bunks,new bow stop and new 4 wheel disc brakes with all new hoses and new brake cylinder and all new lights with a bunch of leds all down length of trailer turned out nice and been running but ready to do another https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9075781690.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3b78732911.jpg |
Their so close (OB's) Looks like you can put one big cowl over them lol....Really fine work brother.....she didn't come from Jackson NJ any chance?
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Originally Posted by floatingphil
(Post 4915008)
Let's see some pictures of the 18'..
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Originally Posted by scippy
(Post 4915034)
Their so close (OB's) Looks like you can put one big cowl over them lol....Really fine work brother.....she didn't come from Jackson NJ any chance?
nowadays im retired and love doing custom restos pic is before faired and paint on cowls motors turn lock to lock,,,so got em as close as possible as didnt want a cc set up and drag transom on a top water hull,,,lol the huslers 24deg bottom and only 7' total width at transom made some extra work to do the tripps and keep inside lifting strake but got it,,,,, as said 70 window it lifts out of water and the loose top ride in the snot starts my fun its a good working 32 thats rides the rough like a longer hull picked boat up in south jersey with no motors or drives dont remember city but bottom jersey |
Jmif....you articulated very well placement (300's) with the bare minimum 7' transom. Great head start being their were no engines or drives to go ob's...well thought out weight balance to ride straight and on top.
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Originally Posted by scippy
(Post 4915061)
Jmif....you articulated very well placement (300's) with the bare minimum 7' transom. Great head start being their were no engines or drives to go ob's...well thought out weight balance to ride straight and on top.
actually boat had blower motors and bravo sportmasters but wanted boat minus i/o set up to do the conversion and wanted a 95/6 model as mike was going to outerlimits with the 32 molds to make the 37 stelleto and layed up the last few with lots of foam core,,,a 5th stringer and thinner gunnels to loose lots of weight especially in the bow with cored top deck and no full pleasure birth no comode,micro,frig,shelving,ect just seat cushions my last triple resto was a lil 27 excalibur with 2.5 offshores was a blast of a boat but a little to narrow and short for my running waters when got snotty in the bay this 1 drives through it nicely i drop in and go 30-50 + miles from trailer all the time so if hurt a motor still gets on a plane and cruises 50 home with the 34 pitch props love to put on 2 new 500s,,,,,but lotta $ to not gain any speed and be about same weight and the throttle response with 3 props is awsome so guess will stick with the gas gusslers,,,,lol |
Originally Posted by floatingphil
(Post 4915008)
Let's see some pictures of the 18'..
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ca247e2428.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...abae48236e.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b8e1f27ce7.jpg |
1970 Dan Arena 21 Custom XL. This boat was built by Dan Arena and Howard Arneson. Deep V, V-drive. I built it with a Mercury Racing 575, trim tabs and saddle tanks. Runs an honest 90+ if your down for the ride.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...11bebce964.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3eb9be424d.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cd489169d7.jpg |
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7efd74ec94.jpg
A few years later, Howard got this Dan Arena 18'. We tested it as 'stock' with a Crusader marine 350 w/ a Volvo Penta outdrive. We then mounted his prototype Arneson Surface Drive. It went from 56 mph to 78 mph with the Surface drive. We tested it for about 3 months or so. ( This is the only existing photo of Howard testing.. ( I took the pic, as he returned to the dock.... He liked doing a 'solo run, before we hauled it out. |
Mountie, are you Rik? That's a great pic of Howard! I remember going down to the shop on Buchanan Circle in Concord. Loved that place, I drooled over the 21's... probably why I have mine now.
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Nope... I'm Peter...... Rik came long afterward.. I started with Howard when he bought his first ocean racer ( 1975?) .. I helped to re-paint it at the pool Sweep facility. Then Howard "adopted" me.... I was his right-hand man / helper / testing partner. I was there for a while...( Sea Sweeps, Cougar Cats, etc..... Even for his 1st few turbine power boats. ( Rik was there during that time with his big Arneson Skaters, and was always Howard's guy 'till he retired.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7068047d68.jpg |
Originally Posted by mountie
(Post 4915395)
Nope... I'm Peter...... Rik came long afterward.. I started with Howard when he bought his first ocean racer ( 1975?) .. I helped to re-paint it at the pool Sweep facility. Then Howard "adopted" me.... I was his right-hand man / helper / testing partner. I was there for a while...( Sea Sweeps, Cougar Cats, etc..... Even for his 1st few turbine power boats. ( Rik was there during that time with his big Arneson Skaters, and was always Howard's guy 'till he retired.
I'm sure we've met then. I ran with Barry Garfinkle, Rick Bowling, and and Paul back in the day. |
I lived in Marin County.... I met many of Howard's friends.... But I am bad with remembering their names....
I have lot's of little stories...... Like, when Howard tested solo in his 18' Arena, He would ( for fun)... chase the seagulls..... Until one day, He "caught one"..... It slammed against his helmet.......... He came to our dock, with a welt on his forehead....... He said, " I'm never doing that again'...... Stuff like that.... |
I remember... one of Howard's friends, built a gorgeous powerboat / Garwood looking wood finish..... fast boat, and had Arnesons on it..... It must have been about 36' 'V' bottom.
It was a work of art.... Can't remember his name.... |
Old photos
I love these old photos, thank you!
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Originally Posted by mountie
(Post 4915398)
I lived in Marin County.... I met many of Howard's friends.... But I am bad with remembering their names....
I have lot's of little stories...... Like, when Howard tested solo in his 18' Arena, He would ( for fun)... chase the seagulls..... Until one day, He "caught one"..... It slammed against his helmet.......... He came to our dock, with a welt on his forehead....... He said, " I'm never doing that again'...... Stuff like that.... Been pooped on a few times. |
Originally Posted by mountie
(Post 4915392)
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7efd74ec94.jpg
A few years later, Howard got this Dan Arena 18'. We tested it as 'stock' with a Crusader marine 350 w/ a Volvo Penta outdrive. We then mounted his prototype Arneson Surface Drive. It went from 56 mph to 78 mph with the Surface drive. We tested it for about 3 months or so. ( This is the only existing photo of Howard testing.. ( I took the pic, as he returned to the dock.... He liked doing a 'solo run, before we hauled it out. Reading that the Pachanga went from 55 to 70 was awesome news as I was in the conundrum of not being to build my sbc too much as it would blow my MR pre alpha drive and couldn’t make enough horsepower to over come the drag of a TRS and transmission to make it worthwhile without going to a big block. Too much weight throwing the balance out. Ironically I never installed a Arneson but the guy I sold it to when I moved to Florida in 84 did a few years later. It went from a 60 mph boat to a 80 mph boat with a stroker sbc. Arneson was the Greatest innovation combined with the pad bottoms and Hustler before Fountain came around. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6645bef53.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cd8867b3f.jpeg |
When we started using Howard's Arneson Drive, .. the first issue Howard had to deal with, was the speed limit of the hull. .. No matter what hull, no matter the boat.
I sorely, got used to chime walking...... YUK !! That's when Howard began modifying the hulls, and the plates..... During those days, our speeds were ..'normal'..... But current race boats were quite slower than what we were testing at. It's strange, for my years with Howard, in the beginning, I was witnessing history in the making..... And I was in the middle of it !! I didn't notice..... Having too much fun .. with Howard !! Our first 'cat boat' was a Sanger Cat / balsa core ... with our first turbine...... ( I think, Bernie Little bought it, gave people rides..... Named it the "Bud Dry" I think.... I think.... |
Yrs ago, a friend of mine bought a Jag rag top for his wife, from Howard.
My friend took two of our friends w/him, so they got the chance to rub elbows with Howard! Howard had the twin turbine, 50’ Skater at the time and took them all for a ride. Popular folk lore of the time was, the boats rooster tail would spray the bottom of the Golden Gate Bridge! One of my buddies videotaped the ride w/his phone. Leaving the ramp you could hear the two PWC units running to maneuver the boat at idle speeds around the docks! They saw 172 MPH and did spray the Golden Gate bridge! My one surviving friend recently posted that video again. Amazing stuff. PS, when I was still hosting my boating event (Rumble on the River) Ken Warby was a regular attendee and a big fan of the event and I introduced him to the friend who bought the Jag from Howard. Over beers one evening, Ken mentions to my friend that he was a huge fan of Howard’s. My friend says, no **** and, hang on a second. Grabs his cell, dials a number and hands the phone to Ken. Then says, Ken Warby, meet Howard Arneson! They talked 2 hrs! And became great friends. |
Originally Posted by Twin O/B Sonic
(Post 4920249)
Yrs ago, a friend of mine bought a Jag rag top for his wife, from Howard.
My friend took two of our friends w/him, so they got the chance to rub elbows with Howard! Howard had the twin turbine, 50’ Skater at the time and took them all for a ride. Popular folk lore of the time was, the boats rooster tail would spray the bottom of the Golden Gate Bridge! One of my buddies videotaped the ride w/his phone. Leaving the ramp you could hear the two PWC units running to maneuver the boat at idle speeds around the docks! They saw 172 MPH and did spray the Golden Gate bridge! My one surviving friend recently posted that video again. Amazing stuff. PS, when I was still hosting my boating event (Rumble on the River) Ken Warby was a regular attendee and a big fan of the event and I introduced him to the friend who bought the Jag from Howard. Over beers one evening, Ken mentions to my friend that he was a huge fan of Howard’s. My friend says, no **** and, hang on a second. Grabs his cell, dials a number and hands the phone to Ken. Then says, Ken Warby, meet Howard Arneson! They talked 2 hrs! And became great friends. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7c47c41a6d.jpg It wasn't the Golden Gate Bridge.... It was the 'Richmond San Rafael' Bridge he sprayed the cars passing by.... ( G.G. Bridge way too high ! ) But we washed cars a few times !! ( photo of the Richmond - San Rafael Bridge, and a pic I took, while in the left-side canopy ) |
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